FACETS' CICFF OPENS SUBMISSIONS FOR THE 40TH ANNUAL CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S FILM FESTIVAL

CICFF40 will take place 

November 3–19, 2023

FACETS' Chicago International Children's Film Festival is excited to announce that submissions are now open for CICFF40. The Festival will run November 3-19, 2023. The Early Deadline for submissions is May 1, 2023 the submission fees are $40 for each short film, and $80 for feature films. The Regular Deadline is May 31, 2023 and submission fees are $60 for each short film and $100 for feature films. FilmFreeway Gold Members receive a 10% discount on all submissions. Submit to CICFF40 through FilmFreeway. Full details here: https://facets.org/programs/facets-cicff-opens-submissions-for-the-40th-annual-chicago-international-childrens-film-festival/

ABOUT CICFF

For almost 40 years CICFF has set the standard of excellence, celebrating films from around the world that break new ground in their approach to storytelling, offer unique or seldom-heard points of view and demonstrate artistic and technical mastery. Our goal is to raise the bar of what films for children and teens can achieve.

CICFF is an advocate for children, prioritizing their human rights and protecting their health and well-being. Films selected for the Festival are child-or teen-driven in their approach to storytelling. The content speaks positively to people of different backgrounds, cultures, and orientations.

We strongly believe that audiences should be engaged, entertained, and enlightened. Films should stimulate discussion and insight into new concepts and motivate active responses from children and teens.

We seek and provide opportunities to connect filmmakers with our festival audiences. In addition to the Festival, CICFF provides year-round thematic programming that promotes media education in the community and the classroom. Through virtual Q&As, available to a worldwide audience, filmmakers have an incomparable opportunity to discuss their work with the widest possible array of viewers.

ORGANIZATION

The Chicago International Children’s Film Festival is the first Academy®-qualifying children’s film festival in the world. Oscar®-qualifying film categories include Live-Action Short Film and Animated Short Film.

Founded in 1984, the CICFF is the oldest children’s film festival in the country and the largest in the world, screening 307 films from 55 countries during the 39th season in 2022.

The Chicago International Children’s Film Festival serves as a global hub for filmmakers and producers of films for young people, as an opportunity to connect with and elevate the aesthetic and production standards for youth cinema production.

Festival films reach unique audiences diverse in age, socioeconomic background, and ethnic heritage, as well as a broad range of children and teens, educators, parents, and peers unduplicated in the youth film festival audience landscape worldwide. At in-person and virtual screening Q&A’s filmmakers have an incomparable opportunity to discuss their work with the widest possible array of viewers.

MISSION

The Chicago International Children’s Film Festival aims to set an internationally recognized standard of excellence in film production for children and youth.

We strive to support the work of talented and dedicated filmmakers by showcasing international films of the highest quality and awarding prizes in multiple categories of production formats and genres. The film experiences of young viewers are deepened through a broad range of programs which extend Festival film viewing into discussion and learning.

The Chicago International Children’s Film Festival is produced and presented by FACETS. FACETS is a nonprofit that connects people to independent ideas through transformative film experiences. Since 1975, we have produced pioneering programs focused on film education, exhibition, and distribution.

As the first Academy®-qualifying children’s film festival in the world, our festival presents the best, most innovative international films for kids and teens. We seek out films that both entertain audiences and challenge them to widen their perspectives. But more importantly, we invite film submissions that are for kids, not simply about them.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

Festival films reach unique audiences diverse in age, socioeconomic background, ability, and ethnic heritage, as well as a broad range of children and teens, educators, parents, and peers unduplicated in the youth film festival audience landscape worldwide. At post-screening discussions, filmmakers have an incomparable opportunity to connect with the widest possible array of viewers.

ABOUT FACETS

Established in 1975, FACETS expands perspectives and affirms a shared humanity through inclusive engagement with film. FACETS' mission is to create cinematic experiences for youth and adults that foster vital conversations and community action through film exhibitions, media education, and film resources. Learn more at facets.org

   

TOP WEEKEND PICKS: Facets' 36th Chicago International Children's Film Festival November 1 - 10, 2019

Full schedule for the 

36th Annual 

Chicago International Children's Film Festival, November 1 - 10, 2019

Facets’ 36th Annual Chicago International Children’s Film Festival will present an Official Selection of 248 films from 49 countries from November 1 – 10, 2019 at Facets, Music Box Theatre, Davis Theater, University of Chicago: Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, and Alliance Française de Chicago. Festival passes are available for audience members who want to experience multiple Festival screenings: the Family Pass ($75.00) provides twenty tickets redeemable at any general public Festival screening and the All-Access Pass ($350.00) admits one to all general public screenings. Individual tickets for each general public program can also be purchased (kids $6.00, adults $10.00, Facets Members $5.00) and field trips tickets are available for schools and teachers ($6.00 per student for groups over 25 and $7.00 per student for groups under 25).

Congrats to Silvia R and Maggie M, 

ChiIL Mama's winners of 20 Tickets each ($75 Value) 

to any films showing at 

The Chicago International 

Children's Film Festival 

Browse the full schedule for general public and field trip programs, and buy passes and tickets today at https://festival.facets.org.

Kids, teens, families, and educators come together at Facets’ 36th Annual Chicago International Children’s Film Festival to experience the best, most innovative film and educational experiences for kids and teens from around the world.

The Festival’s Official Selection presents films that are breathtaking in their beauty, skill, and innovation. But more importantly, Festival films give kids and teens the opportunity to engage with empathy-driven, noncommercial media that speaks directly to their experiences. 

Festival Director, Ann Vikstrom, says: “Our 36th season follows the eyes, ears, hearts, and minds of young people and leads the way for thought-provoking media as well as fun film frolics for every age range. This season, the trend continues and deepens for subjects such as immigration and global citizenship; programs for girl empowerment and gender (queer) identity; and programs on responsible media use and sourcing.” 

She goes on to say: “Culturally-based shows are a signature for the Festival, with intergenerational shorts programs based on heritage and family. As an Academy-qualifying festival, our live-action shorts programs are stand-outs, and we have more animated shorts than all other youth festival world-wide. With 248 films from 49 countries, including 15 features and 50 shorts programs, the 36th season is ready to go!” 

This year, the Festival continues its commitment to education. In a time when anyone with a smartphone can view, create, and talk about film, the Festival has a unique opportunity to help educate kids and teens about how media impacts their world. The cornerstone of the education programs are the Festival field trip screenings, which provide stimulating pre- and post-screening discussions led by visiting filmmakers and Facets expert media instructors. Schools and teachers can choose from 50 field trip programs that offer grade-appropriate films and focus on important contemporary issues, like international perspectives, immigrant experiences, and STEM. The Festival will also present filmmaking workshops, which will be announced at a later time.

Film is often understood as a portal to a new world. For the 36th year in a row, Facets’ Chicago International Children’s Film Festival is excited to embrace this idea and take it a step further: At the Festival, audiences will be inspired to actively engage with film, not simply as entertainment, but as an exploratory tool that can bridge cultural divides, promote 21st century media literacy skills, and expand perspectives through empathy-driven storytelling.

Facets' 36th Annual Chicago International Children’s Film Festival: Since 1983, the Festival has set an internationally-recognized standard of excellence in film for children and youth through film screenings and educational experiences. The 36th annual Festival presents an official selection of 248 films from 49 countries from November 1 - 10, 2019, along with school field trips and education programs. The full schedule, passes, and tickets are available at https://festival.facets.org

The Festival is presented by Facets, a nonprofit that connects people to independent ideas through transformative film experiences. Learn more at Facets.org.

WIN A Family Pass ($75 Value/2 Winners) To The 35th Annual Chicago International Children's Film Festival November 1st-9th, 2018

ChiIL Mama's Chi, IL Picks List: 

35th Annual Chicago International 

Children's Film Festival 

November 1st-9th, 2018

Get your tickets to watch the best films for kids and teens! Here at ChiIL Mama, we're elated to partner up with Facets and the Chicago International 

Children's Film Festival on an excellent ticket giveaway for our readers. I volunteered at Facets from 1990 to 2016, and my teens grew up enjoying award winning family friendly films from around the world at the annual Chicago International Children's Film Festival (CICFF). We highly recommend CICFF for tots through teens, and even adults. 

Enter Below for your chance to WIN

A Family Pass ($75 Value/2 Winners) To The 35th Annual Chicago International Children's Film Festival through midnight October 30th, 2018

Pass contains 20 tickets

Each ticket admits one to any public Festival screening

Pass must be presented at the box office

No refunds on individual tickets

ChiIL Flicks On Our Radar

The Festival is a legendary Chicago cultural institution for
globally-minded, creative families, educators, and media
professionals.

Their mission is to seek out and champion films that
represent the best of their kind and can adequately speak
to the experience of contemporary kids and teens.

The Festival is run by Facets, a pioneering nonprofit
that connects over 30,000 people annually to independent

ideas through transformative film experiences.

Get the ultimate Festival experience. 

With a Festival pass, you can watch the best films from around the world for kids and teens right here in Chicago.

Family Pass - $75
Get a 20 ticket pass for your family to use at any Festival screening.

Pass contains 20 tickets
Each ticket admits one to any public Festival screening
Pass must be presented at the box office
No refunds on individual tickets




Lineup:
Get tickets or family passes in advance and check out the full lineup right here.

Enter for your chance to WIN

A 20 Ticket Family Pass ($75 Value/2 Winners) To The 35th Annual 
Chicago International Children's Film Festival  through midnight October 30th, 2018

Pass contains 20 tickets

Each ticket admits one to any public Festival screening

Pass must be presented at the box office

No refunds on individual tickets

ENTER HERE

Disclosure: Here at ChiIL Mama, we're elated to partner up with Facets and the Chicago International Children's Film Festival on an excellent ticket giveaway for our readers. We have been compensated and/or given complimentary tickets for our giveaway and review purposes. As always, all opinions are my own. 

Check Out The 34th Annual Chicago International Children's Film Festival Through Nov 5th, 2017

ChiIL Mama's Chi, IL Picks List:

Award winning films from around the world, 

and creative and though-provoking 

workshops and symposia for 

Facets' 34th Chicago International Children's Film Festival

Attendance prices are very moderate, ranging from $20 to $50, with one free event - Facets Members receive a discount on all events.

The full Festival workshop schedule, film schedule, ticketing information, field trip bookings, and Festival Family passes are available now at www.facets.org/cicff.



The lineup for workshops and symposia for the 34th Festival is packed full of fun events that will activate the imaginations of kids, teens, and adults. The core of Facets and the Festival's missions are to foster a lifelong appreciation for film as art and expression. The workshops and symposia are an extension of our curated film programs and media education during our screenings, and are both educational and entertaining. 

Damián Perea, filmmaker and producer of the Animayo International Film Festival in the Canary Islands, will lead a bilingual (Spanish and English) stop-motion animation workshop at Instituto Cervantes called "¡Animate with Animayo!" on November 3. Last, but certainly not least, Mauro D'Addio, who directed Festival Film On Wheels, will instruct the "After the Table Read" workshop on November 25.

Festival Professional Jury member and award winning filmmaker Anahita Ghazvinizadeh will be leading both "Real Deal Documentary" workshops on November 3 & 5.

It is important to note that Friday, November 3 is a Chicago Public Schools in-service day and students will not have class.

Facets' 34th Chicago International Children's Film Festival runs from October 27 - November 5, 2017, with screenings at 8 Chicagoland locations. Festival workshops and symposia take place at Facets and Instituto Cervantes on October 28 & 29 and November 3 & 5. The full Festival workshop schedule, film schedule, ticketing information, and field trip bookings. 




Festival Family passes are available now at www.facets.org/cicff.

Facets' Chicago International Children's Film Festival presents the best, most innovative film and educational experiences for kids, teens, families, students, and industry professionals. The Festival is operated by Facets, a nonprofit that connects 30k+ people annually to independent ideas through transformative film experiences. 

Fabulous Film Fest For The 4th -- Celebrate CPS Off Day With Chicago International Children's Film Festival

ChiIL Mama's Chi, IL Picks List:

CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S FILM FESTIVAL OFFERS SPECIAL PROGRAMS FOR THE CPS DAY OFF ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4TH

SPECIAL NOVEMBER 4TH PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:

ABULELE, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

THREE SHORT FILM PROGRAMS FOR AGES 7+

ALL DAY WORKSHOP TELLING A STORY THROUGH COMPUTER ANIMATION FOR AGES 7+

TICKETS ON SALE NOW AT www.facets.org 

Here at ChiIL Mama, CICFF has been a favorite of ours for decades. I was a year round volunteer at Facets for over 25 years and covered many "Kids Fest" shifts before and after I had children of my own. My kids have even volunteered to take tickets and fill concessions multiple times over the years. Since 2009 when I began blogging and freelance writing full time, I've written about the fest, interviewed filmmakers, and reviewed films. We'll be back out this Friday through Sunday too.

Oscar® qualifying Chicago International Children's Film Festival announces Special Programs for the November 4th CPS day off and its closing weekend line-up of screenings November 5 & 6 at Chicago's Facets Theatre, Music Box Theatre. Established in 1983, the Festival is the nation's largest for children and teens and is presenting over 280 all new animated, live action, documentary and experimental shorts and features from approximately 44 countries. Tickets are on sale now at www.facets.org. Festival Family Pass' are available now and can be purchased at www.facets.org or at Facets located at 1517 W. Fullerton in Chicago. 

The special programs are featured for kids ages 7+ on the CPS day off school Friday, November 4th. Programs include the popular features Beauty and the Beast and Abulele, three short film programs and the the all day workshop Telling a Story Through Computer Animation. Programs are located at Facets and the Music Box Theatre with tickets and workshop registration available now at www.facets.org.

DATE: November 4th - Full schedule available at www.facets.org

LOCATIONS: Facets at 1517 W. Fullerton, Music Box Theatre at 3733 N. Southport

SPECIAL NOVEMBER 4th SCREENINGS and WORKSHOP DURING CPS DAY OFF - 

Five special film programs and one workshop for kids with the day off school, Ages 7+. November 4th screening locations include Facets and Music Box Theatres.

* Abulele - Live Action Feature Film, Isreal, Ages 10+, Music Box at 10:15AM

* Stone Soup - Shorts Program, Ages 7+, Facets at 9:45 AM

* Higher Ground - Shorts Program, Ages 13+ Facets at 10:15AM

* Beauty and the Beast - Live Action Feature Film, France, Ages 11+, Music Box at 9:45AM

* Express Yourself - Shorts Program, Ages 14+, Facets at 11:45AM

Workshop - Telling a Story Through Computer Animation  - Ages 7+, Facets from 10:00AM-4:30PM

CENTERPIECE SCREENINGS:

* BEAUTY AND THE BEAST - Live-action, France, Christophe Gans, French, with English subtitles

After falling into financial ruin, a kind, widowed merchant does his best to provide for his six children, including brave, beautiful, and well-grounded Belle. One eventful night, he stumbles upon a fantastic castle holding unspeakable treasures and riches. But when he is tempted to take a single rose from an enchanted garden, he becomes indebted to Beast, the castle's keeper, and it is his beloved Belle pays the price. Will Belle transform both Beast's fate and her own circumstances through the power of love? Impressive special effects, cinematography, and costumes in this César Award-winning film, starring Léa Seydoux ("Spectre", "The Grand Budapest Hotel", "The Lobster", "Saint Laurent") and Vincent Cassel ("Jason Bourne", "The Little Prince", "Black Swan"). Recommended ages: 11+

* ABULELE - US Premiere, Live-action, Israel, Jonathan Geva, Hebrew, with English subtitles.

At school, Adam struggles with both grades and bullies. At home, he grapples with the recent loss of his brother. Amidst this difficulty, he stumbles upon an unlikely friend, a little monster named Abulele. But what starts as an innocent friendship leads to a dangerous chase. With the help of his new pal, Tamar, Adam must protect his monster at all costs while showing some powerful adults how to grow up. Recommended ages: 10+

Workshop

Telling a Story Through Computer Animation

Learn how to tell compelling stories through animation and computer programming with filmmaker and tech extraordinaire, Jeff Sweeton.

Like playing video games, but you'd rather tell a story of your own? Start out by learning character development and storytelling basics, and then bring these ideas to life with coding fundamentals. In the end, you will program your very own animated storyboard-or as we call it in the biz, an animatic.

Takeaways:

• Learn principals of storytelling

• Computer programming and coding language

• Universal relationships of characters within media

• Basic drawing

• Animatic creation

Registration: $40 Facets members, $45 non-members

Festival Tickets

CICFF programs are listed alphabetically. Program seating is guaranteed only with advance individual ticket purchase online.

Ticket Prices

Children (ages 2–18):   $6.00

Adults:   $10.00

Facets Members:   $5.00

Family Pass holders:   FREE

Family Pass

Admits up to 4 (adults or children) to all 2016 general Festival screenings including both weekends and weekdays. This pass does not guarantee seating. The Family Pass can be purchased here.

Facets Members

Discounted admission for Facets Patron Circle Members and one accompanying guest to all general Festival screenings. The membership does not guarantee seating. Click here for more information on becoming a Facets Patron Circle Member.

ABOUT CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S FILM FESTIVAL: 

Chicago International Children's Film Festival was founded in 1983 to introduce new, thoughtful, provocative, and culturally diverse films for children to American audiences, to recognize excellence in children's filmmaking, and empower children by involving them directly in the jurying process. The Festival experience cultivates an appreciation for the arts, encourages active, discerning viewing, and stimulates lively discussion among peers, families, and the film community. The 2016 event takes place October 28-Novenber 6, with over 280 films from over 40 counties, premieres, filmmaker Q&As, filmmaking workshops, audience voting, and Opening and Closing Night Celebrations. Chicago International Children's Film Festival is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Alphawood Foundation, Conant Family Foundation, Polk Brothers Foundation, Stuart R. Abelson Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, Stuart & Jesse Abelson Foundation, The Comer Foundation, Kirkland & Ellis LLP, and British International School of Chicago.

CICFF 30th Anniversary Schedule & $40 Family Pass #ChiILPicksList

I've been a volunteer at Facets Multimedia for 23+ years.   And I've adored and attended the Children's Film Festival since long before I had kids of my own.  My tweens who are 10 & 12 grew up on the fest and are eagerly anticipating this year's lineup which features more tween features in addition to all the early childhood and elementary age favs.

Check back with ChiIL Mama like we vote in Chi, IL... early and often.   We'll have our ChiIL Picks List up shortly.

We sat down and picked the brains of projectionists and staff at Facets about their favorites and we'll be adding our own wish list as well.   What will you see? It's a multicultural feast of fam friendly cinema.

Of course you'll want to adapt the schedule to the ages & tastes of your kids.   If you plan to hit more than one show, buy a family pass.   It's a smokin' deal at just $40!   But go early to the screenings you want to see. Entry is limited by capacity.

This year's CICFF features the absolute best in new world cinema for kids of all ages. The programs we've designed to celebrate our 30th anniversary will empower and inspire the next generation of film lovers. Join us and take amazing journeys with a wealth of character-driven stories, painterly and cutting edge animation, and thoughtful resolutions. Every screening at the CICFF is a visual treat for the whole family.

The Family Pass is on sale now.

The best family entertainment deal in Chicago

Click here and get your family pass today!

CLICK HERE FOR SCHEDULE

This was one of our fav Halloween children's books when the kids were small.

Guessing Game... Can you guess the films these images came from?   Check the schedule & discover some of our top ChiIL Picks.

Like Japanese anime... French fare... Halloween themes... grrrrl power... martial arts... Fantastic Planet remastered?   There's something for everyone!!

Get Even More Animated At This Year's Children's Film Festival

October 26 - November 4, 2012 I've been a volunteer at Facets Multimedia for 22 years this September and I was an avid fan of the Children's International Film Festival long before I had children of my own.   Whether you're in charge of introducing your children to world class multicultural offerings, or you're a child at heart, check out the fabulous films and workshops this year.   Highly recommended!

Three major animation studios, Pixar, Aardman, and LAIKA Studios, have teamed up with Facets' 29th annual Chicago International Children's Film Festival for an exciting array of screenings and workshops during this year's festival, from October 26 to November 4. **LAIKA Studios, the makers of ParaNorman and Coraline, present their "Stop Motion Magic" workshop at Facets Multi-Media on Saturday, October 27, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. $25 for Facets members and $30 for non-members. LAIKA will also present special Halloween screenings and events for their most recent hit film ParaNorman at the historic Music Box Theater October 27, at 10 a.m., and the Logan Center for the Arts in Hyde Park October 28, at 6 p.m. Both screenings include a special Q&A with LAIKA Studio's Mark Shapiro and a zombie costume contest for the kids. **The British animation studio Aardman, which produced the wildly popular Wallace and Gromit series and their new hit The Pirates! Band of Misfits, offers their clay animation workshop "Genius of Stop Motion" at Facets on Saturday, October 27, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. $65 for Facets members and $75 for non-members. On Saturday, October 28, at 11:30, Aardman Studio's Creative Director will host a special Halloween screening and discussion of The Pirates! Band of Misfits at the Music Box Theater.** Adults are not left out! Aardman is also conducting a behind-the-scenes look for adults called "Behind the Genius of Aardman" at Facets on October 28, at 7:00 p.m. Registration is $30. Pixar joins the festival on November 3 for "Tribute to Pixar Animation." This presentation of Pixar shorts and post-screening discussion with a Pixar artist will be at the Music Box Theater on Saturday, November 3, at 9:30 a.m. Register for all festival workshops here, or by calling 773-281-9075, ext. 3011. Space is limited so registration must be done in advance.  The schedule and tickets for every screening are also available at www.facets.org/kids.   The 29th annual Chicago International Children's Film Festival is October 26 to November 4. It is the largest festival of films for children in North America, boasting over 240 films from 51 countries. This year's Festival includes: short films that bolster English literacy; the annual Tribute to French Animation; and Halloween shorts with presentations, workshops, and costume contests. The Festival will welcome over 23,000 attendees, including nearly 100 filmmakers, who will lead Q&A sessions and workshops at venues across Chicago. The CICFF showcases the best in culturally-diverse, value-affirming new cinema for children and youth, as well as entertaining and educational programs for teachers, parents, and caregivers. The first Academy Award-qualifying children's film festival in the world, the CICFF has distinguished itself over the years with an array of interactive programs and workshops designed for children, youth, and adults.

The Chicago International Children's Film Festival is a program of Facets Multi-Media, a nonprofit organization that for 38 years has been dedicated to the exhibition, distribution and education of foreign, independent, and classic cinema.

ABC Wednesday: P is for...

Projection!




CICFF has become a Halloween tradition for our family.   We've volunteered for years, and this Halloween morning was no exception.   This time, though, we'd like to take our readers where they've never gone before--behind the scenes--with projectionist, Fred, and Manager of Festival Operations, Kathleen.





The Children's Film Fest features film made by adults for kids and films actually made by kids.   If you have a budding film maker at home, check out their web site and enter a submission next year, or sign up for film making camp at Facets which includes a chance to judge next years' films and determine which ones make the cut.


We've been raving about how cool it is to be able to choose from 270 films from over 40 countries, right here in Chicago, during one amazing week each year.   But the people behind the scenes are pretty amazing, too.   Without the projectionists, there would be no scenes to see!   


Over at Facets, there are 3 projectionists, Ron, Fred and Emerald.   Fred ran the bulk of the daily kids' films while Ron and Emerald took the regular Facets evening showings.   When films are shown together in a series of shorts, they need to be spliced together onto a big reel, then cut apart again when the showings are over.   


I asked Fred if submissions for the fest came in different formats, since they were coming in from around the world.   PAL videos can't play here, and different parts of the world aren't always compatable in media.   Interestingly enough, Fred said CICFF has gone to just film or DVDs for submissions for that reason.   They used to get Beta submissions, then Digi Beta, but the tapes wouldn't always play.   The majority of the Kids' Fest submissions do come in on film.
It's very cool up in the projectionist's booth, and Fred was happy to show Du-Jay and Sagezilla around.    The giant reels and projectors are fun to see, and it's a whole different view looking down at the darkened movie theatre through the booth window.   Just watch out if you have long hair near the reels!



Kathleen--juggler of parenting and production details for The Chicago International Children's Film Festival.   CICFF is the largest and oldest film festival for children in North America.  It is the only children's film festival in the world to be designated by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as an Academy Award qualifying festival.


P is also for parenting!   Kathleen is Manager of Festival Operations and a Chicago Mom with a toddler daughter.   Since Halloween is always the last day of the fest, and the closing ceremony with the best of the fest clips, her husband takes over on the costume front.   


I'm always interested to see how parents juggle their creative work and their parenting.   Of course parenting can be some of the most creative work of all, and having kids can influence careers and vice versa.   I'm sure with age, her daughter will become as much a fest regular as Du-Jay and Sagezilla are.
 



Till next year, we'll continue to volunteer at the box office a few times a month as a family.   We'll go back to tracking down the good indi films and international stand outs on our own, and try to see if some of the myriad we missed at the fest got released anywhere state side.   And we'll eagerly anticipate the 28th annual CICFF next October.


For updates on Facets film camp, periodic screenings, and year round events, "like" CICFF and ChiIL Mama on Facebook.

For more fun posts from places and people around the world, click the link below and check out ABC Wednesday.

Gold, Jewels and Facets

It sounds like a dragon's treasure trove, but it's just ChiIL Mama's wacky work week...


Today, I had the pleasure of previewing The Field Museum's Gold Exhibit which will open this Friday and will run October 22-March 6th.   Where else can you see real Oscars, Emmys, Grammys, Olympic Gold Medals, and The White Sox World Series Trophy in one room?!   We were even treated to lovely, golden harp music for the opening, without any attendant beanstalks or pesky giants.   

This exhibit combines history, mystery, poetry and science, all centered around that magical mineral, gold.   Kids can even step on a scale and find out what "worth your weight in gold" literally means.


   


The first people in the door were a lucky class of 5th graders from St. Paul-Our Lady of Vilna school in Pilsen, who have been studying gold.   The Field Museum gave them all heavy, "gold" medals, and chocolate gold coins, and the kids were suitably impressed with the exhibit.   It was quite fascinating, and we'll have a full feature up soon.





Tomorrow I'm going from gold to green, with a sneak peek at a new green Jewel that's opening on Southport in Lakeview.   We'll also show you how to save some gold with Jewel's penny for a pot promotion.   We made a great stir fry with their professional quality cookware the other day and have a fun photo shoot to share.


Then Friday we'll be at the opening night gala for the 27th annual Chicago International Children's Film Festival.

Opening Night Gala Friday, October 22

We want you to be part of the celebration when our 27th Annual Chicago International Children's Film Festival kicks off with an evening of family fun, fantastic food, and film, hosted by WTTW's Geoffrey Baer!

Come join us as we strap on our dancing shoes and pump up the volume with Radio Disney's Road Crew, then finish off the evening with some of the very best short films and feature previews from this year's Festival.

When?
Friday, October 22
6:00 p.m. Reception
7:15 p.m. Opening Remarks
7:45 p.m. Film Presentation

Where?
Thorne Auditorium
375 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL
(corner of Chicago & Lake Shore Drive)

Parking:
Available at garages around the auditorium

Films Screened:
Log Jam: "KFG No. 5" (Hungary) 2 min.
Ormie (Canada) 4 min.
One Shoe Blues (USA) 5 min.
Mobile (Germany) 7 min.
El Tux (USA) 7 min.
The Little Boy and the Beast (Germany) 7 min.
The Lost Thing (Australia) 15 min.

Plus trailers from some of the Festival's feature films!
Running Time: 60 minutes

Great Children's Films from all over the world are screening at Facets Multimedia and a number of other venues over the next two weekends for the public and for school groups during the week.   Check their web site HERE for show times, locations, prices and age guidelines.   We'll be volunteering at the box office this Saturday and next Sunday, so say hey on your way in or out.    Reservations and early arrival highly recommended.   These shows tend to sell out!